Podcast Summary
Collecting data to guide parents and educators during the pandemic: Economist Emily Auster and her team at Brown University collected data from school districts to provide clarity and guidance during the pandemic
During the pandemic, parents and educators were faced with the difficult decision of whether to send children to school or keep them at home. There was a lack of clear data to help make informed decisions, so economist Emily Auster and her team at Brown University took it upon themselves to collect data from school districts directly. Through surveys every two weeks, they gathered information on mitigation efforts, in-person student numbers, and COVID cases. This data helped provide clarity and guidance for parents and educators during a time of uncertainty. Emily's belief in the power of data to inform and make informed decisions is a valuable reminder for us all.
Lack of collaboration between state and federal governments led to inadequate data collection about school COVID-19 cases: Individuals can take action to fill gaps in information and hold institutions accountable when the system fails.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a lack of collaboration and clear responsibility between state and federal governments, resulting in inadequate data collection about the impact of the virus on schools. This led to controversial decisions about school reopenings based on politics rather than science. An individual, Emily Auster, stepped up to fill the gap by creating the most comprehensive database of school COVID-19 cases in the country. Despite the valuable insights gained from the data, Auster faced backlash for her involvement. With a new administration, the federal government is now taking a more active role in tracking COVID-19 cases in schools. This experience highlights the importance of individuals taking action to hold institutions accountable when the system fails.
Documenting the impact of school closures: Every data point, no matter the scale, can contribute to a larger understanding of the world and inform decisions that impact lives.
Data collection and analysis, even on seemingly small-scale issues, can have significant long-term implications. Economist Emily Oster discussed her efforts to document the impact of school closures during the pandemic and the potential consequences for students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. She emphasized the importance of preserving this information for future research and urged listeners to start making changes, no matter how daunting the challenges may seem. Oster's work serves as a reminder that every piece of data could contribute to a larger understanding of the world and help inform decisions that can shape people's lives. By focusing on the importance of data collection and analysis, even during times of crisis, we can gain valuable insights and work towards positive change. You can explore the data and findings from Oster's research on covidschooldashboard.com.
Patent System Failing to Ensure Affordable Medicines: The current patent system leads to extended monopolies, price hikes, and accessibility issues for essential medicines, affecting over two billion people globally.
The current patent system for medicines, which is intended to incentivize inventors and eventually lead to healthy competition and affordable prices, is not functioning as intended. Instead, the system allows for extended monopolies, leading to price hikes and accessibility issues for many people. This issue is particularly concerning as over two billion people worldwide lack access to essential medicines, and rising drug costs are causing hardships for families in wealthier countries as well. The speaker calls for reforms to address this crisis and ensure that the patent system benefits both inventors and the public.
Patent system skewed towards corporate interests: To address the imbalance in the patent system, we need to raise the bar for patent grants, change financial incentives, increase public participation, and give the public the right to go to court for a modern patent system that serves the public interest and fosters genuine innovation.
The current patent system in the pharmaceutical industry is skewed towards corporate interests rather than public benefit. This issue became more pronounced in the late 70s and 80s when innovation became a central pillar of economic growth, leading to an exponential increase in patent filings. However, not all of these patents represent true inventions, but rather a business strategy to maintain monopolies. For instance, a single drug like Caitruda, which is set to be the top-selling drug in 2024, already has over 100 patents and will continue to be protected for another eight years, costing Americans $137 billion during this period. To address this imbalance, we need to raise the bar for patent grants, change the financial incentives of the patent office, increase public participation, and give the public the right to go to court. By implementing these reforms, we can create a modern patent system that serves the public interest and fosters genuine innovation.
Rewiring the patent system for the public's benefit: Patent reforms are necessary to ensure equitable access, modernize the system, and make vital technologies accessible to all while preserving entrepreneurship.
The current patent system, while driving innovation, also leads to inequity and high costs for the public. Reforms are needed to ensure that people whose lives are directly affected have a voice, and to modernize the system to benefit the public while preserving entrepreneurship. The pandemic has highlighted the need for government intervention to make vital technologies accessible to all, and it's essential to explore new incentives for corporations to act in the best interest of society. In essence, the goal is to rewire the patent system to work for the public, not just a few corporations.
Challenging Systems to Share Knowledge and Resources: During crises, it's crucial to prioritize knowledge sharing over locking it up or monetizing it. Patent reform and open knowledge are key to saving humanity, while education and access to resources are vital for small businesses.
Our current systems and structures, including those related to intellectual property and policing, prioritize locking up and monetizing knowledge and resources. However, during times of crisis like the pandemic, there's a growing understanding that knowledge should be shared to save humanity. Priti Christel, a lawyer and co-founder of iMac, advocates for patent reform and a shift towards open knowledge sharing. Meanwhile, Lakeisha Gaines, a State Farm agent, emphasizes the importance of knowledge and education in helping small businesses succeed. Philip Atiba Gough, co-founder and president of the Center for Policing Equity, shares his personal experience of how a police incident in his childhood shaped his perceptions of law enforcement and public safety. These stories highlight the need to challenge and change systems that hinder knowledge sharing and access to resources, particularly in critical moments.
Studying implicit bias during the cognitive revolution: Research on implicit bias challenged the belief that racism was over and expanded the definition of racism to behaviors, enabling effective measurement and address.
During the cognitive revolution in social psychology, researchers like Philip Atiba Goth began studying the automatic association between black people and criminality, which leads to stereotype-consistent perception. This research, conducted in the late 90s, was crucial as it introduced the concept of implicit bias, challenging the dominant belief that racism was over due to declining explicit prejudice. The definition of racism as attitudes was found to be inadequate, as it failed to address the harmful behaviors and discrimination faced by black communities. Changing the definition to behaviors made it possible to measure and address racism effectively. The Center for Policing Equity, founded by Goth, collects and analyzes police behavioral data to measure disparities and promote accountability.
Identifying disparities in police use of force: Analyzing crime, poverty, and demographic data can help determine where police use of force deviates from predictions and identify areas for policy improvements through community engagement and accountability, while recognizing the need for holistic approaches to public safety addressing mental health, substance abuse, housing, and education.
Addressing disparities in police use of force requires a comprehensive approach that considers both systemic factors and police policies and behaviors. By analyzing data on crime, poverty, and neighborhood demographics, it's possible to determine the extent to which these factors predict police use of force and identify areas where the gap between prediction and reality is largest. These areas may indicate issues with policing policies and behaviors that can be addressed through community engagement and accountability. However, it's essential to recognize that vulnerable communities often face multiple challenges beyond policing, requiring a holistic approach to public safety that includes resources for mental health, substance abuse, housing, and education. The Ithaca Police Department's efforts to rethink public safety and allocate resources to respond to crises appropriately provide a promising example of this approach.
Community outreach workers de-escalate crises with empathy: Community outreach workers, like Natalia, use empathy and understanding to help individuals navigate crises without weapons, illustrating the 'defund the police' movement's potential for community-based solutions.
Community outreach workers, like Natalia Kewilich, play a crucial role in de-escalating public safety crises by approaching individuals with empathy and understanding. Unlike traditional law enforcement, they don't carry weapons and instead focus on connecting and helping people navigate their situations. This approach can be seen as an example of the "defund the police" movement, which aims to reimagine public safety and allocate resources to community-based solutions. The conversation between Natalia and the distressed individual illustrates how her presence and communication skills helped the man understand the situation and willingly accept help, potentially preventing further danger. The opportunity exists for more experimentation and radical reimagining of public safety, and it's essential not to squander this moment for change.
Exploring the complexities of treating severe mental illness: The podcast 'Lost Patience' highlights the need for effective, patient solutions for those dealing with mental health challenges, contrasting the current system's failures with Capella University's flexible online learning format
Our current system for treating severe mental illness often fails those in need, leading to a cycle between the streets, jail, and hospitals. This issue is explored in the new podcast "Lost Patience" from KUOW and the Seattle Times, part of the NPR Network. Capella University offers an alternative solution with its flexible online learning format, allowing students to earn degrees at their own pace and receive support throughout their educational journey. This underscores the importance of finding effective, patient solutions for those dealing with mental health challenges. The podcast sheds light on the complexities and shortcomings of our mental health care system and raises the question: Does it have to be this way? By examining the history and realities of treating severe mental illness, "Lost Patience" aims to provide insight and potential solutions to this pressing issue.
